Φ Following the beastkin’s victory, they quickly took all of the humans captive and started to transport all of their possessions along with the bodies of fallen beastkin soldiers out.

All of the human soldiers were killed for spilling the blood of members of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, and the civilians were to be executed by Lugh.

However, due to the undisclosed situation, 35,000 of the humans had been spared. The remaining humans had all been killed mercifully with a single strike, except for around 7000 who were all brutally tortured to death by Ronald Fuinseog.

Both Ronald and Lugh received harsh punishments that where ugly stains on the names of the young Ronald who had accomplished countless military victories, and Lugh the perfect young king who seemingly had no flaws.

But at the very least, in the eyes of the Tuatha Dé Dannan the name of house Fuinseog didn’t decrease much as Setanta's accomplishments were spread far and wide as well, along with a rumour that he is to be the next high king.

-Two weeks later-

Location: Emain Macha

Φ As I stare in a mirror and look at my clothes. They are rather nice with the Faoláin crest plastered over them and with jewellery for my wolf ears and tail.

I stare right at the Faoláin crest, and as I do the images of all the men who died for me flash through my mind again, so I simply hold it and say, “I wasn’t strong enough to save you, and I am not even strong enough to be by his side anymore. Your sacrifice was wasted on someone like me.”

Bursting through the door, one of the maids shouts, “Ferdiad come and help us!”

“What did Setanta do this time!?”

Suddenly we hear Setanta says, “I can do whatever I want I am the hero of this party!”

I instantly run out to see Setanta who is utterly draped in so much jewellery that he shines like the sun.

Turning to me, he says, “Ferdiad as my right hand prepare to be transformed as well.”

“NO WAY! NOW THAT ALL OF THAT OFF!!”

-One fight later-

Walking down a corridor with Setanta at my side, I say, “Why can’t you just behave once, just once.”

“It is completely stupid that I just have to where jewellery around my animal parts.”

“It symbolizes the pride we take in being beastkin and is a sign of respect, just like how we have drawn tattoos on our body before we put on our clothes. It is a symbol of the abuse that the Fir bolg suffered under the humans.”

“I know, I know, but I think it would be fine if I decorated my other parts as well.”

“Why they are far less important than your beast parts.”

“I don’t really think that is true.”

Staring at him, I say, “If this is some sort of sign of incoming stupidity from you I ask that you cease before you start.”

“Of course not. I am just thinking about how pretty Minagrain would have been in a dress beside me.”

“My sister is far too shy to go to a big event like a celebration of our victory, and besides if people found out that you plan on marrying her it could be disastrous with the rumours flying around.”

“You mean the rumours of me being the next high king. How ridiculous, who would even spread such lies.”

Looking away I start to ruminate over my thoughts.

I shouldn’t have said anything to Téad because it seems like his men happened to overhear what we were saying and some foolish decided to spread the fact that Setanta is probably the next high king.

Many people have been sceptical of the validity of this rumour, but the actions of King Conchobar like accepting much younger women as concubines have made people start to think he is infertile.

If people figure that out, someone like my sister would be put in harm's way as Setanta even if he becomes high king would probably still marry her, and even if Setanta was to get a harem he would play favourites with my sister. I can’t even imagine the amount of attempts that would be on her life.

“Ferdiad?”

“YES!” I shout shocked.

“Do you need to take a shit?”

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“Nope, now what were you saying.”

“We here.”

Walking through two doors we are greeted by Ibar and Laeg who are dressed to a high standard just like the both of us. Ibar looks kind of like a young version of his father, while Laeg looks so pretty my heart stops for a moment.

“Ibar you truly look like a strong warrior now, while Laeg you are utterly stunning.”

Ibar becomes excited and makes a cocky expression saying, “Obviously who would expect any less.”

While Laeg blushes and says, “Thank you.”

Setanta appearing behind then grabs their tails and says, “Though those clothes don’t see to have much movement.”

They both quickly turn around and prepare to hit Setanta but just like lightning he moves behind them again, it was so fast that my eyes couldn’t even keep up with him.

“You both cannot even see me with the new powers I have obtained!”

They continue to run around and try to strike Setanta which ruins their regal appearance to the maids around, but to me, all I can do is focus on Setanta's speed trying to grab ahold of him with my eyes.

Eventually, Setanta exhausts them both to the point that they can barely stand, then he goes up and hugs them both saying, “I am happy you both can still smile like this. I know it must have been hard on the both of you, but remember this I will always be there to support and stand by you even if you choose one day that you don’t want to do this.”

I snap out of my hyper-focus on Setanta’s speed and notice how stressed they both look. I didn’t notice it before but I have no idea when is the last time I have seen either of them smile.

They both hug Setanta and then in unison kick him directly in the stomach and start to stamp on his head.

“Thanks for that boss, now let’s see how you handle this,” Ibar says with a smile.

Laeg looking at me, says, “Don’t you want to join in.”

Laughing a bit, I say, “Of course I do.”

“Ferdiad, come on where friends, you’re a brother to me.”

I give him a little smile then join in.

-Break-

Φ As we walk through the castle, Setanta says, “You’re all evil.”

Looking at him, I say, “I don’t want to hear that from a man who would touch a woman’s tail. Pervert.”

Ferdiad says, “You’re lucky you met Setanta when he did before he had quite literally no respect for everyone.”

Ibar says, “That’s a rather frightening thing to think about.”

Turning to Setanta, I ask, “What changed then?”

“Easy, I met Ferdiad.”

“Awww, how cute.”

“Ferdiad says, “He robbed and beat the shit out of me the first time we met.”

“Urgh,” I say looking at Setanta.

“Hey but then we became friends after that right,” Setanta says looking at Ferdiad.

Ferdiad avoids this gaze and turns his head, then says, “Looking back on it I didn’t even have the right to refuse such a request, and now I have been dragged into a hole not of my own making.”

Setanta droops his head like a depressed wolf, but Ferdiad says, “But it has been a rather pleasant time.”

Setanta jumps with joy, and I ask, “Oh, I never got a chance to ask you but how was the funeral at the Lúcogadhs’.”

“Pleasant enough, but rather saddening that the only thing Téad was even remembered for at the funeral was his contribution to helping us, they couldn’t even say a single other good thing about him.”

Ibar says, “I guess despite being one of the sons many people didn’t value his life much. It seems that at the end of the day, beastkin only truly values the lives of those who do great things, even if they were your family you will only weep for the loss of their achievements.”

The air becomes tense as my brother says this, and noticing this Setanta says, “Then all you guys have to do is remember him. If you all succeed and keep him in your hearts all the way it means his existence was far more important than others.

Knowing how amazing my arm and legs are I am sure that would make him far more important than even his entire house one day.”

We all smile at this suggestion, and then come to a stop. “We are here,” I say.

Setanta moving to the front of the door says, “This is another battlefield, while not as bloody you can reap just as many rewards. Now let’s go.”

Φ As a door opens we are greeted by a staircase, and below it is countless beastkin dressed so well in a room that is so fancy that I feel like my heart is about.

I then hear someone shout, “From the house of Faoláin the young lord and future king of Gorias Setanta Ó Faoláin, and his loyal subordinates.”

A herd of claps fill the room and I started to get spooked out as I see all those who were staring at me. So I grab Setanta's tail and say, “So fluffy, I feel better.”

Looking back at me, Setanta says, “My front tail is as nice to hold as my back one.”

I let go and kicked him down the stairs, which caused him to tumble downwards in a rather embarrassing fashion.

Ibar looks to me as this is happening and whispers, “That was the right decision.”

“I know but look, I just embarrassed the house.”

Ferdiad says, “When dealing with Setanta you must always have ways to salvage a situation.”

Ferdiad throws both me and Ibar down the stairs and then Setanta who has stopped tumbling sticks out both his right and left arms and we land our feet on the palms of his hand.

Then Ferdiad says, “Stick them out.”

We turn our heads and see he is jumping down as well, so we put out our hands and allow Ferdiad to land his body on them.

Then Setanta says, “I hope you enjoyed our little entrance, and we hope you have seen the great vigour our empire has.”

Many clap and Setanta lets us all down and then says, “Time to get some food.”

Setanta starts to head towards the food, and with his mouth-watering Ibar says, “I need to go keep him in check, I will be right back.”

I look around and see that the entire hall is far more beautiful than I thought. Ferdiad asks, “Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, it is just that this place is far more beautiful than I thought anywhere could ever be.”

“This is one of our two holy grounds, outside of Tara where the high king lives this would be the most important place for us beastkin. That’s why each of the red branch families and the king have their own little castle here.”

In the giant banquet hall, there are thirteen staircases with doors around the room, each one has the coat of arms of a particular red branch family and one for the high king.

“Makes me feel rather small like I shouldn’t be here.”

Ferdiad hits me in my back and says, “The first kings were farmers. No need to ever feel ashamed.”

“I guess you were right.”

Suddenly a man comes up to us and says, “Hello Ferdiad, it is nice to see you again.”

“Mícheál, it has been so long.”

Introducing me, Ferdiad says, “This is Mícheál Mac Carthaigh, and he is a man I once helped a while back.”

“Helped? More like saved, if it wasn’t for you and Setanta I would have died in that surprise attack.”

“Oh you flatter me too much, and anyway with the house you have built for my family I have been all but repaid, oh by the way this is one of our charioteers.”

Ferdiad directs me to introduce myself, and I start to panic. “I CAN’T DO THIS!